Oakland Museum of California

Address:	1000 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
Phone:	+1 510-318-8400
Site:	museumca.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	Closed Closed 11AM–5PM 11AM–5PM 11AM–9PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 10

James Bowen

Here is a fully informed review. The oakland museum a nice east bay museum to go to. Many people dont know about it so it always a good surprise even for people who live in the east bay. Hours are ~10am-6pm, double check before you leave. Good parking garage which has validation so it dosent cost a arm and a leg. Make sure to get out before 6:30! There is a shop which a decent selection. Also a cafe is in the museum so you can have lunch here but double check. They have 3 floors with a permanent exhibit on each floor. Also if you can go when they have a special exhibit do so. On the lowest floor is the nature exhibit with all the California wildlife. If you have a bit of time you should squeeze it in you will like it. On the middle floor is the history exhibit which is a favorite of many and has loads of history of California from the natives to the Spanish to Mexico to usa and the modern era. If you are in a rush and had to pick 1 floor only,this is the one. Top floor has the art exhibit which is ok and worth a look. You can pass if you have time constraints Dosent take too long to go through if you are in a rush. Its enough so you can see it in 1 day and not feel like you wasted money. Overall worth a go for adults. Every k-12 school in the Bay area should have a field trip to it.

STEVEN VONG

The OMCA is kind of a hidden gem of Oakland- though a lot of people walk by to the courthouse or around Lake Merritt/etc., it seems hardly crowded. I came on the first Sunday of June and it was free and I enjoyed the exhibits! This museum has a few traveling exhibits and a main area focused on Californian history. A lot of parts are interactive and I especially enjoyed walking around seeing parts of the state that I would want to travel to and learning how they developed. Besides the educational experience, there is also a pretty overpriced cafe with basic American fare, as well as a museum store. The store has a great clearance section with old pamphlets and past exhibition guides on sale, and I snagged a Pixar book (for an exhibition I saw in Shanghai actually) for $5 when it was worth 20. Even if you cant come when its free this is one of the best museums Ive been to and it makes me proud to be Californian born and raised!

The Cafe Society Hack

Visiting the Bay Area? Entertaining out of town guests? A stop at the Oakland Museum is a perfect way for San Francisco visitors to get a taste of Oakland and the East Bay. This museum is full of California art, exhibits on California history and natural history. There are many interactive exhibits for children too. Located within minutes of the Lake Merritt BART station its any easy ride from any BART in San Francisco. If you come late in the day on Friday of a month, stick around for OM Friday Nights with music and food trucks. On a beautiful blue sky day, visitors can also enjoy a stroll around nearby Lake Merritt or check out Oaklands Chinatown which is a more cultural community minus all the tourist shops you find in San Francisco Chinatown. You will also find many award winning restaurants or beer gardens within walking distance.

John Gay

Hey, I checked out the OMCA Friday Night thing. Boring! I guess Im spoiled after the amazing Friday nights Ive seen at the DeYoung, MOMA, and science museum in San Francisco, but this was a yawner. It got worse when we tried to salvage the evening by checking out the galleries. Its not that they dont have a great XYZ collection: They have NO collections. The "art" and whatever is just random stuff thrown in a big airplane-hanger like space. How sad that this is what the East Bay has for a museum. Clearly, San Francisco rules and this place doesnt get 5% of the money and influence that flows through the city. Feel like learning something? Well, save yourself $3 and stay home and watch the Science Channel at random. Or Goggle some artists name and just stare at whatever comes up. Okay, thats it.

Shiras Corella

The Oakland museum is a great place to spend some time. Alone, or with kids, theres lots to see. Im partial to the natural sciences area. The permanent exhibits are excellent and they always have a temporary exhibit thats really special. At the time of this review, the new exhibit focuses on bees and its fascinating. The museum in general is calm and peaceful. If you go during the week its not uncommon to be the only person in a sprawling gallery. The koi pond is a peaceful place to eat lunch, or you can leave the museum and find yourself in the middle of Oakland Chinatown with all it has to offer. The on-site, validated parking and close proximity to the freeway, makes visiting really convenient.

Amy Schroll

6/18/13 SWEET HOME, CALIFORNIA What a great museum - I cant believe I hadnt been here before my recent visit. I think that this is a great place for adults to enjoy, even though there was some interactive stuff for tthe kiddos. Theres a LOT to see so dont show up an hour before closing, like we did. Do show up on a Friday night when its half-priced entry (even though the regular fee of $12 is very reasonable). If youre a tourist visiting from in-state youll love stopping in here. If youre a tourist visiting from out-of-state, youll ALSO enjoy your time at this museum. Lots to see and all very interesting! If youre a local, you have no excuse for not checking this out. Go! Now!

Ernesto Baena

La exposición permanente sobre la conformación de las sociedades actuales en California es muy completa, desde los indígenas americanos hasta la época actual, mostrando el tejido cultural, económico y, sobretodo, cotidiano, haciéndonos sentir mucha empatía por gente tan diversa, en tantas épocas diferentes.

A Private User

Is a museum visit often more tiring than energizing? The Oakland museum is different. Good street and garage parking as well as close to public transportation. More outdoor gardens and terraces than any city museum I know of. A pleasant and affordable cafe. Galleries that are well done and not overwhelming. Places indoors and out to relax and enjoy the architecture of this exceptional building. The people, geography, arts and crafts of California as specialties, with some superb photography and painting. Dont tell too many people or there will be crowds at this hidden jewel of the Bay Area.

Miyamoto Lena

Theres a lot of artifacts and engaging and interactive pieces at the Oakland Museum. I learned a lot about the Gold Rush, California art, and the history of immigration in California. Its a good place to learn more about California and I think children and seniors would equally enjoy it as well. They have free lockers to leave your belongings and wheelchairs and plenty of space and seating for those might need it--a very accessible place. Friendly and helpful staff. Its a nice trip out here and very close to the BART station.

Hallie Brignall

The Oakland Museum is just fantastic. Not only do they have worthwhile permanent exhibits on California history and natural history, but they do really interesting and pertinent special exhibits that range from science, to history, to pop culture. You could literally spend hours here -- and the content is interesting for both adults & kids. The recent Black Panthers exhibit was incredible - very dense with a lot of local history. I went two times and still feel like I could go back and learn more.